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September 2018

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)

From the Pastor's Desk
September 2018

Dear Saints,

WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART

Wait patiently for the Lord.Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord(Psalm 27:14 NLT).

Waiting is part of life; and in many ways, nature turns to be our best teacher. For example, we all wait for the different seasons of the year. As well, we wait for the sun to rise and set. We wait for the rains to fall to help our vegetation and crops to grow. We also wait for our kids to grow from the womb to adulthood. There are other mundane things we do which demands our attention in waiting. Example of this would be waiting in line to be served at restaurants, banks, airports, theaters etc.

Similarly, in our walk with God, it would seem like God often delays to attend to our needs. The duration of waiting could be long or short. If our waiting is long, we become irritated. This might be attributed to some of the following factors; a. impatience b. Frustration c. Discouragement d. Anxiety e. Fear and f. Doubt.

There are ample examples in the Bible of experiences of godly men and women who waited on God. We read of the Jewish people being entrapped in slavery and hard labour for 430 years before God sent Moses to go and deliver them (Exodus 3:7-10).

Abraham and Sarah were promised a son; but God delayed in giving them that child until they were both old (Genesis 18:9-12). We also read of Job’s sickness and suffering. Though, we don’t know the duration of it, we know that God delayed in bringing healing and restoration to him (Job 42:10-17).

In the New Testament, we read of Jesus’ delay to attend to sick man Lazarus. He only showed up after he (Lazarus) had died and was buried for four days. Jesus then brought Lazarus back to life (John 11:11-44). In Acts, Jesus told the disciples to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8); which was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).

At this point in time, the biggest waiting for all Christians is the Second Coming of Jesus. Before leaving the earth for heaven, Jesus told his disciples; “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:1-3).
After Jesus had been lifted from the earth and gone out of sight of the disciples, two angels came and told them; “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

From the above discussions, I want us to look at the following two questions: 1. Why would God sometimes delay to answer the requests of his people? 2. Why are we still waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus?

Firstly, we have to know that God is sovereign and so, has the authority to do anything. Secondly, our God is a good and loving God who knows what is best for us. Though he may delay to responding to our requests, that does not suggest he is simply not interested in our affairs or he’s incapable of doing what we are asking for. He works for our good and would always make sure that, we have the best no matter what the situation is. Paul said; And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Saints, I don’t know what you might be praying for? I want to assure you that, God’s delay to your request is not a rejection of you.

It’s been over two thousand years since Jesus left the earth for heaven. We are still waiting for his Second Coming because many people are still not saved. Jesus’ desire is to see all mankind turn from their darkness to God’s marvelous light. As Christians, our mandate is to continue to evangelize in fulfilment of the Great Commission given us when Jesus said; Go[a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

ANNOUNCEMENTS

My second book titled: Understanding Love: Biblical & Cultural Perspectives has just been released. You may order your copy from Amazon.com or through the Publisher @ www.shidaanikei.com.

The first book titled: African Spirituality: Did Africans know God before the arrival of the Missionaries? Could also be purchase on Amazon and shidaanikei.com as well.

We will be grateful if you are able to support us financially as we embark on church planting programs in Africa.

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